Job Looking in 2026: Errors to Keep away from

If I have been job looking proper now, there are 5 issues I’d not be doing. And I need to say this fastidiously as a result of I do know a lot of you listening are drained. You could have utilized for a lot of roles, you’ll have rewritten your resume a number of instances, have used ChatGPT and LinkedIn and job boards and recruiters and networking and the entire issues. And nonetheless the method could really feel slower, extra opaque, and extra irritating than you’ve anticipated.

So at present I need to preserve this episode actually easy. This isn’t a motivational speak, it is a reset for you. If I have been job searching for now, figuring out what I do know from teaching my shoppers and interviewing consultants on this podcast, watching the job market and seeing what’s working and what’s not working, these are the 5 issues that I’d cease doing.

You already know, generally the largest enhancements in a job search doesn’t come from including extra duties. IT comes from eradicating the issues which can be losing your vitality. So let’s go.

Okay, so first off the listing

Could be I’d not be making use of at scale and name IT a technique. That is the very first thing I’d cease doing if I have been you. I’d not apply for a lot of, many, many Jobs each week simply because AI now makes IT simpler to do. Generally IT’s not even concerning the variety of Jobs that you just apply for per week. IT’s about, ⁓ I’ll simply apply for this one. You already know, I’ll simply see how IT goes. I would as nicely simply apply for another. I perceive.

Why folks do IT? I actually do. I’ve been in your sneakers. If you end up anxious, unemployed, below stress, frightened about cash, making use of for extra Jobs feels productive. IT offers you one thing to rely. IT appears like an motion. However extra functions don’t routinely imply higher odds. The truth is, for a lot of of my shoppers who’re skilled professionals, the alternative could occur. The extra you apply with out

Discernment, the much less time you need to perceive the function, perceive the group, what’s the downside that they’re attempting to unravel by promoting this place. Understanding their determination makers, the choice standards, and the way your expertise must be positioned to provide you an opportunity to be shortlisted. A job utility just isn’t a lottery ticket. Let me repeat that. ⁓

Lottery ticket. IT’s a enterprise case, proper? IT’s a enterprise case. You make a case for why you, together with your background, your judgment, your relationships, your observe file, and your future potential ought to be invited right into a dialog with the choice makers for that job.

That takes thought. That takes time. So if I have been job looking at present, I’d be asking higher questions earlier than making use of. Is that this the function that actually aligned with my expertise? Can I see a powerful match between the job description and my achievements? And sure, this implies you’ll have to wait till these roles come about. IT will make you are feeling like, my god, you understand, I’m

not shifting ahead as quick as I can. Once more, IT’s that idea of appla the variety of functions feeling like a productive time of your job search time. I don’t imagine that that can allow you to. Do I perceive, you understand, what the issue on this group is, you understand, the that form of that form of desirous about what IT is that they’re attempting to unravel. What’s IT that they’re attempting to determine by ⁓

having this new individual be part of the group, promoting this function now that whoever has left the place. Understanding what the issue is is essential so that you can transfer ahead to the brief listing and be interviewed for that job.

It’s also possible to ask, do I do know anybody who may give me context? So some folks that have labored with me mentioned that previously they’d apply after which attempt to discover folks that labored there after which allow them to know that they’d utilized perhaps per week or two after they’d utilized for the job. That doesn’t actually work. Ideally, you need to get context earlier than making use of.

The opposite query is can I clarify clearly and calmly why I’m I’m a reputable candidate? Proper? So that is actually essential. If that isn’t actually clear for you, then

We have to workshop that and see if you really want to use for this. That is the form of work that I do with shoppers after they begin working with me. They ship the job adverts that they see marketed and we run collectively, you understand, we workshop issues collectively, we brainstorm issues collectively. I additionally educate them the right way to use AI to do a few of that evaluation as a result of IT turns into much less emotional and simpler to grasp the rationality about your probabilities of shifting ahead for a place.

And if the reply isn’t any to the entire questions that I’ve simply talked about, I’d pause and assume. That doesn’t imply I’d solely apply for good roles. Good roles are uncommon, however I’d cease treating each job ⁓ as equal, proper? They’re not. There are Jobs which can be extra inside your lane, your profession DNA, and there are Jobs which can be extra outdoors your DNA. And that’s to not say that you just can not do the transition to a distinct.

business, a distinct sector, a distinct space of experience, however IT would require you understand a number of reflection and and higher communication of what you’re attempting to realize to folks which can be studying your utility.

The job market is noisy, proper? And AI has made IT noisier. Candidates can apply sooner now, and employers are receiving an increasing number of generic functions. So the reply is to not be noisier with all people else, the reply is to be sharper, proper?

Alright, so now let’s transfer to the second factor I’d not be doing and that’s actually essential. I’ve simply talked about AI and I’d say that the second factor that you just shouldn’t be doing is letting AI take away your voice.

I’d not do that in any respect. That whole job search handed over to AI is a horrible thought. Now, you understand that I take advantage of AI. I educate shoppers the right way to use IT. I feel IT might be extremely useful. However AI ought to help your pondering. IT shouldn’t exchange your pondering. This is likely one of the largest errors I see job seekers make proper now. Their resume is polished, however IT appears like everybody.

else’s resume, their cowl letter is grammatically good, however there’s no imprint there from them. There’s no viewpoint. Their LinkedIn profile has all the appropriate phrases however no persona, no story, no proof of their private judgment.

Even their thought management sounds generic. After which they get to the interview they usually can not converse naturally concerning the materials that supposedly represents them as a result of IT doesn’t. And that could be a downside. So in 2026 and past, employers will not be impressed just because your paperwork are nicely written. All people else’s paperwork are nicely written. Everybody can produce now nicely written paperwork. What employers are searching for

In search of is proof. Proof that you just perceive the work, proof you can clear up issues, proof you can talk with stakeholders, with them, with the employer, proof that you should use Technology with out hiding behind IT. Speaking about AI with that confidence can be actually essential. So, sure, I’d use AI that will help you tailor your resumes. I’d use IT to determine guess.

Caps, do SWOT evaluation. I’d use IT to organize for interviews. I’d use IT to analysis firms, evaluate Jobs descriptions, and follow your responses. However I’d not let AI flatten your expertise. Your resume wants your phrases, IT wants your voice. Your LinkedIn profile wants your judgment. Your interview solutions want your tales. And

The best way that you just place your self must sound such as you so that you’ve got the boldness to maintain the dialog going at an interview. So AI may also help you change into extra ready. IT shouldn’t make you sound much less human, proper? In order that’s actually, actually essential.

Now, the third factor I’d not do is I’d not wait till I wanted a job to construct visibility. Final night time I obtained an important e-mail from anyone that touched base with me just a few months in the past and mentioned he wished to work with me. However on the time he was on the tail finish of an interview course of. And I mentioned, look, you need to see what’s going to occur as a result of IT will change your determination and the way in which that we work collectively.

Seems he received the job and some months later he emailed me and mentioned, Let’s work collectively. How can we work collectively? I like anyone that’s proactive, that

works with a coach, you understand, earlier than they want IT. They they work to develop their future profession planning. That for me is my splendid shopper. In order that’s the third factor I’d not do is to attend till I used to be unemployed earlier than I change into seen. That is actually onerous for a lot of professionals that I work with. You already know, normally my shoppers are over 40 and that’s as a result of they’ve spent a long time being rewarded for doing good work fairly

They imagine their observe file ought to converse for itself, and in a really perfect world, perhaps IT would, however in the true world, folks want to grasp what you do, what you’re recognized for, and the place you add worth earlier than the job alternative seems. Your status is being shaped on a regular basis. Inside your group, individuals are speaking about your work. Exterior of your group, your LinkedIn profile, what you write.

Your articles, your feedback, your posts. Possibly you’ve been interviewed by a podcast, perhaps you attended a convention and also you’ve been on a panel otherwise you be you have been a speaker, your skilled associations, your volunteering work, and your community, all of that contribute to how folks perceive you. That doesn’t imply all people must change into an influencer, proper? Please don’t hear me say that.

You don’t want publish day by day, you don’t want to bounce on TikTok, you don’t want to construct a private model that feels performative and uncomfortable to you. However you do have to be findable, credible, and clear.

If I have been job looking, I’d ensure my LinkedIn profile was not merely a replica of my resume. I’d write one sturdy LinkedIn article on a subject associated to my experience and I’d remark often, not simply nurturing feedback like

Congratulations on this new job, nicely performed. I’d additionally remark thoughtfully on posts from folks on my in my business. And I’d reconnect with former colleagues earlier than I wanted one thing from them. You already know, I feel we’ve change into fairly complacent and admittedly lazy, ⁓ working hybridly or remotely and not likely catching up with folks nose to nose anymore. That could be very dangerous to your profession in the long run, you understand.

Having coffees and catch ups, going to occasions and conferences, being in entrance of individuals in actual life is admittedly essential. And I’d ensure that recruiters and hiring managers might rapidly perceive what I do and why IT issues. Visibility just isn’t vainness. Let me repeat that. I’ve many consumers that must take heed to this too. Visibility just isn’t vainness. For skilled professionals.

professionals, visibility is threat administration. IT offers folks a motive to recollect you earlier than they want you and refer you to a possibility.

Okay, the fourth factor that I’d not be doing is I’d not spend cash on extra schooling earlier than diagnosing the true downside in my profession.

So the fourth factor is to not rush into costly schooling as a result of my job search feels caught, as a result of I really feel caught, as a result of I don’t know what to do. This is quite common. IT’s placing the wagon earlier than the horse. Is that the way you say IT? So IT’s IT’s quite common. Somebody has been searching for work for just a few months, they aren’t getting interviews, their confidence drops, after which they begin pondering, perhaps I want one other diploma.

Possibly what I want is an MBA or an govt management program. Possibly I want a certification. Possibly I must retrain utterly. You see, generally schooling is the reply. Sure, I educate at Monash College, so I do know. I’ve been in greater schooling for a very long time. I’m a fellow on the College of Melbourne, once more, serving to them with govt schooling. However let me let you know, typically IT just isn’t the primary reply.

Earlier than you make investments money and time, you need to ask your self, what downside am I attempting to unravel? Am I attempting to shut a real ability hole? Am I attempting to sign that I’m present? Am I crystallizing one thing that I have already got in my repertoire, however I don’t have the certification for IT? Am I attempting to construct confidence?

Am I attempting to alter industries? Am I attempting to compensate for age bias? Am I attempting to distinguish myself from different candidates? That may also be the factor. Or am I attempting to procrastinate and simply delay that jumps edge for a bit of bit longer as a result of I don’t really feel assured sufficient to maneuver ahead or courageous sufficient to maneuver ahead?

So every of those issues could require a distinct answer. If the problem is differentiation, you might not want a level. You might want a stronger LinkedIn profile, in all probability working with a coach or a greater resume, a transparent profession story, a visual piece of thought management, like that article that I discussed earlier than. If the problem is foreign money, you might not want a two yr program. Possibly what you want is a brief AI course, a sensible

undertaking that you just do or proof that you just perceive how your business is altering. Generally all you have to do is simply learn, learn day by day the information about your business and have that self-discipline of being in contact with what’s occurring all over the world.

In your business, sector, nation, you understand, the enterprise information. If the problem is confidence, one other qualification could not repair IT. You might want interview follow, you might want higher language to clarify the worth of your expertise. I’ve seen many consumers get higher outcomes from a easy, centered piece of positioning than from months of additional examine. If I have been job looking now, I’d be very

Very cautious earlier than overcapitalizing on my profession whereas unemployed. So I would like you to actually take into consideration that. I’d select small strategic alerts first, perhaps a free course, an essential article, a portfolio instance, a board paper, a case examine, a powerful profession story.

all of these issues that I normally assist shoppers develop as a part of their teaching program with me. The objective is to not accumulate credentials, the objective is to cut back doubt within the thoughts of the employer, proper? And to make you form of extra conscious of the repertoire of experiences and

and metrics and scale and scope that you just carry into one other function. So I feel generally as a result of we’re doing our Jobs everyday, we normalize our achievements, we normalize normalize our experience they usually we don’t see them as particular. So that’s actually essential. That self-reflection and and identification of what you’ve already created and developed is admittedly essential and a part of you understand ⁓ a a superb teaching program.

Okay, let’s go to the fifth and ultimate factor that I’d not do. I’d not ignore the information from my very own job search. That is so essential, and only a few folks do that. I’d not.

Deal with rejection as a random factor. After all, some rejection is random. Okay, generally there’s an inner candidate, generally the function is withdrawn, generally the finances adjustments, generally the hiring supervisor already has anyone in thoughts. Sure, that’s completely true. However when you’ve got been job attempting to find some time,

and you’ve got a pattern of rejections, there’s normally knowledge within the course of. The query is, are you taking a look at that knowledge? If you’re making use of for roles and getting no interviews, that inform us one thing. The bottleneck is your utility.

IT could also be your resume, IT could be the roles that you just’re concentrating on, IT could also be that you’re making use of too late, you understand, ready too lengthy to ship your utility. IT could also be that your expertise just isn’t aligned, IT’s a distinct degree than your experience, both up or down. IT could also be that you’re not utilizing your community to help your utility. So when you aren’t getting

interviews however not progressing to a job provide.

that tells us one thing else. IT could also be that your govt presence wants work. IT could also be that your profession story wants work. ⁓ IT might be the way in which that you just’re explaining your transition. That could be a actually onerous one for many individuals. ⁓ IT could also be that you’re too broad and never crisp and clear sufficient about your expertise and your experience.

Or perhaps you’re not giving sufficient proof of that. IT could also be that you’re answering the questions however not constructing belief. Generally even the tone of you understand and and the way in which that you just current your self, I discussed govt presence earlier than, that doesn’t construct belief and rapport, proper? So if you’re attending to the very ultimate interview however not receiving presents, that’s, you understand, even one other sample.

Okay, IT might be that ⁓ there’s a lack of stakeholder match. ⁓ once more govt presence might be a problem, IT could be the wage vary that you’ve got requested, IT could be the references, the references you understand at that tail finish are actually essential. IT could also be that you just’re not closing the dialog strongly sufficient.

So that is the place job looking turns into much less emotional and extra strategic. And I typically inform shoppers we’re not attempting to take away the entire uncertainties. That’s not possible, however we are attempting to take away or truly, we are attempting to enhance the percentages, proper? So as a substitute of claiming nothing is working, I’d ask, the place precisely is IT breaking down?

Am I not getting interviews? Am I progressing to ultimate interviews and never being supplied the function? Am I receiving helpful suggestions? Am I selecting the best roles to use for? Am I exhibiting sufficient proof of my experience? Speaking the appropriate degree of seniority?

That’s the way you enhance. Not by blaming your self, not by blaming the market, however by learning the method. Constructing a pattern in an effort to examine the method can get you forward of the sport.

So there you go, these are the 5 issues that I’d not do if I have been job looking. I’d not apply at scale and name IT a technique. I’d not let AI take away my voice. I’d not wait till I wanted a job to construct visibility, and I’d not spend cash on extra schooling earlier than diagnosing the true downside. And eventually, I’d not ignore knowledge from my very own job search.

The job market is tough. I’m not going to faux in any other case, however tough doesn’t imply not possible.

My function as a profession coach is to get my shoppers and my listeners for this podcast on the high of the pile, proper? Anyone’s gonna get employed, and I would like that anyone to be you. That’s why I do what I do. So the professionals who’re doing higher will not be all the time those making use of for probably the most roles. They’re those making higher selections, constructing stronger proof, speaking extra clearly, and studying from every stage of the method. Some folks do that extra naturally.

Simply you understand IT comes extra naturally to them. Others want a bit of little bit of assist by listening to a podcast like this to get that technique put collectively. And when you’re job looking now, I would like you to consider one factor from at present’s episode. What’s one factor you might do or you might cease doing this week to provide you higher odds in your job search sooner or later?

Generally that’s the place progress begins, not with doing extra, with doing much less of what’s not working, and doing extra of what truly helps the appropriate folks perceive your worth.

Earlier than I end, I need to point out one thing. This episode is popping out initially of June 2026, and in Australia in addition to in different nations, June marks the tip of the monetary yr.

So, this can be a superb time to consider whether or not you need to put money into your profession earlier than the monetary yr closes. Now, I’m not a tax advisor, and this isn’t tax recommendation. Everybody’s state of affairs is totally different, and look, relying on the place you reside, the kind of work you do, and the way profession teaching pertains to your present function and earnings incomes actions, some skilled growth bills could also be tax-deductible. Please examine together with your accountant, tax advisor.

Advisor or related tax authority earlier than making any selections on that foundation. I want so as to add this disclaimer there.

However what I can say is that this: when you’ve got been desirous about getting help together with your job search, your profession transition, your LinkedIn profile, your resume, interview preparation, or your general profession technique, this might be the appropriate time to discover your choices. You don’t want to attend till issues change into pressing. You possibly can go to my web site, renatabernarde.com. That’s R-E-N-A-T-A-B-E-R-N-A-R-D-E.com.

And e-book an introductory assembly with me if you wish to be coached by me, or you too can look by the totally different providers and packages and programs that I’ve obtainable there and select what feels aligned together with your objectives, your urge for food for funding, and your finances. Possibly that is the yr you need to make that massive change, discover a higher function, reposition your self, or just really feel extra assured about your subsequent profession transfer.

Now is an efficient time to take that first step. I’d like to help you. Bye for now and I’ll see you on the subsequent episode. Bye!